POA Circulars

This is a final reminder regarding the above which I first advised you about in POA Circulars 165/2020 and 175/2020, on behalf of the POA National Executive Committee I have been in discussions with Professor Nick Hardwick the former Chief Inspector of Prisons and his colleagues from the University.  The survey will now finish close of play on Friday 5^th February 2021.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Please find attached the letter to the Parliamentary Under Secertary of State (Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment) stating our case as to why POA members and more widely prison staff and those in our care should be in the priority group for vaccinations.

The POA has a proud history of recognising the hard work and dedication of members. 

Please find attached NEC minutes for 13^th January 2021 for your information.

I recognise that there are extreme sensitivities around Prison staff vaccinations as keyworkers during the pandemic and the POA and indeed HMPPS Senior leaders are making the case to Government that Prisons are just as equally important as any other workplace where keyworkers exist and that prison staff and those in our care should be prioritised.

As you know the POA Annual Conference was cancelled in 2020 where the above awards would have been given.

In 2014, the POA commissioned a survey of members to examine their work-related wellbeing.

Please find attached NEC minutes for 23^rd December 2020, for your information.

This year has started dramatically with further announcements from the Prime Minister implementing further National lockdowns in England, with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland introducing restrictions of a similar nature but I recognise there may be differences in each of the four countries where the POA have membership.